The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has recovered and returned 21 luxury vehicles worth over N1.8 billion to Canada from a criminal syndicate that smuggled them into the country. 0:00 /
Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, noted that Nigeria has become a significant hub for stolen vehicles in West Africa, with syndicates exploiting the country’s ports and borders to traffic vehicles from regions such as Europe, North America, and South America.
Relying on data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), he indicated that only 54% of stolen vehicles were recovered between 2013 and 2015, adding that “this trend undermines our legitimate automotive market, strains our security infrastructure, and damages Nigeria’s international reputation”.
To combat this challenge, Adeniyi disclosed that the NCS launched Operation Hot Wheels, a collaborative initiative involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC; Canadian authorities, and international law enforcement agencies.
The operation focused on intelligence sharing, surveillance, and interdiction to disrupt vehicle trafficking networks.
According to the NCS boss, on one operation, officers intercepted a container at Onne Port in Rivers State declared to contain used vehicles and spare parts.
A physical examination, he said, revealed three undeclared 2021 Toyota Highlanders, two of which were confirmed stolen from Canada.
Other high-value recoveries include: A Lamborghini Huracan and a Mercedes-AMG GT, valued at ₦630.8 million, intercepted in Lagos.
A Rolls-Royce valued at ₦231.8 million and a 2019 Lamborghini valued at ₦239.1 million, both recovered in Victoria Island.
Two Range Rovers (2023 and 2018 models), worth ₦267.1 million, intercepted in Lekki.
A Mercedes-Benz G550 and a Range Rover Sport, worth ₦506.8 million, seized along the Trinity Axis in Lagos.
